If you are like me, you were a Harry Potter kid back in the day. If you are looking for something else as an adult, these are the books to read if you like Harry Potter to give you that same sense of wonder and magic!
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If you were a ’90s kid like myself, you probably grew up reading about the boy who lived. For me, it was my introduction to reading fantasy and will always have a special place in my heart.
As an adult, I still love reading fantasy. Most of the books I read are magical and I really think this is all thanks to my early introduction to Hogwarts. For a lot of us, it feels like we are always looking for that new book to read if you loved Harry Potter. You may think that there’s nothing like it, but honestly, you would be wrong.
If You Like Harry Potter, Read These Books
There are a lot of great books to read if you like Harry Potter, and I am going to break them down and share them with you today. This “like Harry Potter” list will be broken down based on different aspects of the books. So books with magical schools, books with orphans, chosen one fantasy books, etc. No matter what you loved about the Harry Potter series, you will find something here to quench the thirst for something fun and magical.
Books With Magic Schools Like Harry Potter
One of the big things that made people fall in love with the Harry Potter world was the magic school setting. All of these books are similar to the titular series because they are set in either a magic school or a school where there are some remnants of magic.
Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey
We follow our main character who is a private investigator who ends up being hired to investigate a murder at a magic school where her sister just so happens to be a teacher.
This is a standalone fantasy book that will keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing until the very end.
The Black Witch by Laurie Forest
Aside from the magical school setting, we also have an undercurrent of racism present. Which is not too far off from the pure blood and mud blood situation in the Harry Potter books.
Elloren is a witch with a powerful and famous grandmother.
While everyone expects her to be the next “chosen one”, she has other plans for her own life. She also is lacking in power, which is very hard in this world that values magic above all else.
Vita Nostra by Marina & Sergey Dyachenko
This dark and philosophical book subverts the typical magic school tropes. It is a slow burn but the payoff is worth the journey.
While there are three books in this series, as of now, only one has been translated from Russian into English.
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Our main character Alex is accepted to Yale on the premise that she joins a magical secret society. She quickly learns that the dark and magical underbelly of the prestigious university is much more dangerous than she could have ever expected.
There is only one book currently out in this series, but the second book will be released in January 2023.
Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst
Delina, our main character, has the power to control the spirit of the earth. In this world, girls with this ability must attend a special training school in order to train to protect the realm.
She isn’t the “chosen one”, she is “just good enough”, but she works hard and makes a great group of friends along the way. This is such an underrated fantasy series and honestly, more Harry Potter fans should pick this one up because I think they would really enjoy it.
Magical Orphan Fantasy Books to Read if You Loved Harry Potter
Magical schools may be the first thing people think of when they think of books similar to Harry Potter, but the second thing that comes to mind is the powerful orphan. Usually, these powerful orphans are raised by uncaring families. They are unaware of their parents. Not knowing that they have powers or destiny. Sometimes these orphans have to hide their true identities. These orphan books will give you all the Harry Potter vibes that you’ve been looking for.
Jade Fire Gold by June CL Tan
Not only does our main female have a tragic orphan backstory, but she also has strange and forbidden magic that she didn’t know she possessed.
The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins
This book follows Carolyn, an orphan who was raised by a man known only as Father. She and others are raised and trained by him according to ancient and magical customs.
This book could almost fall under magical school as well.
Fireborne by Rosario Munda
Lee is an orphan who lost his family when they were slaughtered in a violent revolution. As the now hidden heir to the ruling family, he grows up hiding his true identity.
Annie is Lee’s best friend and fellow orphan. Her parents were killed by the former ruling family right before the political upheaval.
Now they are teens and fellow dragon riders who are competing to be leaders of the dragon rider corps. This is a seriously amazing series, and the third and final book will be released in August 2022!
House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Linus is a social worker working with magical children. He is sent by The Agency to a month-long assessment at a magical orphanage. While there, he gets to know these magical and adorable children. He also gets closer to their mysterious caretaker.
This book is just adorable! I highly recommend picking it up for a sweet pallet cleanser.
The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin
Clara is an everwitch, the once-in-a-generation powerful witch. She hates her powers and doesn’t want them. Her powers kill and are uncontrollable she believes.
While she struggles to get rid of her magic, those around her try to convince her to embrace it and potentially save the world.
If you want to check out this standalone, then make sure you read my spoiler-free Nature of Witches review!
There are so many books that can be compared to Harry Potter. Some are pretty loose, based on vibes. Others are more based on the fantasy book tropes they contain. No matter what you are looking for, if you are an adult fan of Harry Potter, then these books are a great place to start looking for your next favorite read.
Book lover, coffee addict, mom of dragons (aka rambunctious kids). I share book recs, mom life survival tips, and the occasional existential crisis.
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